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Hanukah: Why it’s not just for Jews
by Marcellino D'Ambrosio
 Hanukah, it is true, is not one of the greatest feasts of ancient Israel. But neither is it a mere political celebration. In the second century BC, there was a concerted attempt not to wipe out the Jewish people bodily (unlike Hitler), but to destroy it spiritually by enticing Jews to renounce their religious traditions and embrace the paganism of their Greek rulers. The Temple of Jerusalem was desecrated with pagan statues and those refusing to eat pork were brutally tortured. Due to the heroic resistance of the Macabee family and the faithfulness of God to His people, the Jewish people won freedom and the Temple was purified and re-dedicated. I think that is something worth celebrating! The story can be found in the first and second book of Macabees which is in the Catholic bible and in the Protestant Apocrypha. My kids love these stories and we read them annually. In other words, Hanukah commemorates an event that should be remembered by anyone who honors God and/or believes in religious liberty. Greater respect for Hanukah and other Jewish holidays would not only be good for Jews, but for American society as a whole. Pope Pius XI, in the face of Nazi anti-Semitism in the 1930's, said, speaking of Christians, "spiritually, we are all Semites!"
For other articles by Dr. D'Ambrosio to read and download visit the Crossroads Library.
This article appears in the Advent & Christmas and Virtues & Christian Character sections of The Crossroads Initiative Library.
I Believe - The Heart of Catholic Faith
by: Marcellino D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.
 What exactly is the Creed?
In this dynamic, four-part series, Dr. D'Ambrosio explains how this expression of the fundamental beliefs of our faith is critical to our Christian Lives.
He notes that faith is not a denial of the intellect, but rather a fulfillment of our deepest need for the truth - of our deepest need for a relationship with our Creator.
The Creed teaches us that God is a communion of Persons - the Trinity. With enlightening metaphors and colorful anecdotes, Dr. D'Ambrosio shows that we are called to "live the Creed" by developing a loving relationship with God the Father, Son, and Spirit, and to have a deep devotion to the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.
I Believe - DVD - $49.95 I Believe - Audio Tape - $19.95
I Believe - CD - $19.95 I Believe - Workbook - $6.95 | 
